Loose-leaf binder



Dec. 9, 1941. J, E SPAWN@ .2,265,822

Y LOOSE-LEAF BINDER i Filed April 27, '1940 s sheets-sheet lJ. j?" al Dec. 9, 1941. .1.5. sPALDlNG LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 27, L 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v JA g o 8l @j Z HH. |11 lrun. |U|||||HL v ik, \J v v. x 1| Jl o0 0 o0 0 Z0 8 w 32 5@ www 3% 00% w35 wwf/,3% o7/3 w a, 1 W my 5 .ir lx l' F lll l o W, c wf. M w w w, w/ Il I, vw [II w w u m De- 9, 1941. J. E. sPALDlNG LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Filed April 27, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOOSE-LEAF BINDER. John E. Spalding, New Haven, Conn.

Application April 27, 1940, Serial No. 331,961

112 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in loose-leaf binders and more particularly to that type of binder commonly referred to as ring binders.

Oneobject of the present-invention is to provide a Superior loose-leaf binder of such construction and arrangement of parts as to permit the full capacity of the said binder to be utilized without damaging the leaves or sheets thereof while maintaining the thickness of the binder at a minimum. Y

Another object of the present invention isV to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leafretaining loops and leaf-filing arms, the said filing-arms being normally positioned beneath a leafor sheet-supporting member.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leaf-retaining loops and leaf-filing arms which have their abutting ends normally located in such a position as to be out of the path of leafing movement of the leaves or sheets to thus permit the ready leafing of the leaves or Vsheets of the.

binder without interference by the said abutting ends.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leafretaining loops and leaf-filing arms which latter are so constructed and arranged as to be movable from their normal position into a filing position substantially perpendicular to their normal position to thereby permit the ready insertion of additional leaves or sheets or the removal thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leaf-filing arms of such construction as to permit the capacity of the binder to be accommodated thereon when the said leaf-filing arms are in their leaf-filing position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leaf-retaining loops whose major radii have their centers located beneath the lower surface of the leaves of the binder when the said leaf-retaining loops are in their normal position to thereby permit the full capacity of the binder to be utilized without occasioning binding or cramping of the leaves of the binder.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder having superior leaf-retaining loops whose usable height exceeds one-half the usable width between the loop sideportions to prevent distortion or excessive deflection of the leaves of the binder.

With the above and other objects in view, as will appear to those skilled in the art from the present disclosure, this invention includes all features in the said disclosure which are novel' over the prior art and set forth inthe appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which cer-- tain modes of carrying out the present invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a broken plan View of a loose-leaf i binder constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown in its opened position with the leaf-retaining loops in their normal latched position;

Fig. 2 is a similar view but showing the leafretaining loops and the filing-arms in their ling position;

Fig- 3 is a broken end view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 6, but showing the leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms in their normal latched positions;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View similar to Fig. 4 but showing the leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms in their filing positions;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 5, but with the cover-plate omitted;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line l-1 of Fig. 6, but showing the leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms in their` normal positions;

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 6, but with' the leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms in their normal positions;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line lU-lll of Fig.'9;

Fig. 11 is a detached perspective view of the leaf-retaining loop unit;

Fig, 12 is a detached perspective view of the filing-arm unit;

Fig. 13 is a detached perspective view of the base-plate; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the latchingslide.

The loose-leaf binder herein chosen for illustrating the present invention includes a front cover I5 and a rear cover I6 which are hinged in any suitable manner to a transversely-curved binding or backing Il. Rigidly secured in any suitable manner to the inner face of the backing l1 just referred to, is the similarly curved portion I8 of a substantially-U-shaped sheet metal base-plate or frame I9. The base-plate I6 extends longitudinally of the backing I1 and is provided on its respective opposite edges with laterally-extending longitudinal flanges 26 and 2|. The flange 20 of the base-plate IS is provided with a plurality of longitudinally-spacedapart knuckles 22, 23 and 23a for the purpose as will hereinafter appear.

The knuckles22 just above referred to, serve to pivotally mount a leaf-retaining loop-unit generally designated by the reference character 24 and which is particularly well shown in Fig. 11. The said leaf-retaining loop-unit 24 is preferably formed from relatively-heavy wire bent to form a plurality of substantially-U-shaped leaf-retaining loops 25, 26, 21, 28' and' 29' which are respectively longitudinally-spac'ed-apart by" journal-portions 30 adapted to be pivotally. mounted in the knuckles 22 before referred tof of" the base-plate I9. The leaf-retaining loops 25, 26,' 213y 28;- and 29lare adapted to hold or.v retain perforated leaves or sheets of paper in the usual manner of loose-leaf binders as will later appear. Located between the leaf-retaining loops 26 and 21, and 21 and 28 are two laterally-ofiset'portions 3I'--3Iv each of which respectively joins the adjacent journal-portions 39 and which serve to provide clearance for the knuckles 23-23 forming part of the base-plate I9'as before described to thuspermitthe leaf-retaining unit 24 to be bodily swung about the journal-portions r3i] with respect to the base-plate I9.

Located substantially beneath the leaf-retain-` ing unit 24- is a pivotal leaf-filing arm-unit ,generally designated by the reference character 32 and which is formed in a manner similar to; thev leaf-retaining unit 24 from relatively-heavy wire bent upon itself to form a plurality of leaf-filing arms 33, 34', 35, 36 and 31 each of-which is preferably bowed for the purpose as will hereinafter appear. The leaf-filing arms 33, 34,-r 35, 36 and 31 are adapted, in a manner and for a purpose as will hereinafter appear, to have threaded or filed thereon perforatedV leaves or sheets of paper. The said filing-arm unit 32 is provided intermediate the leaf-filing arms 34 and 35 and the leaf-filing arms 35 and 36 with.

two laterally-offset journal-portions 33--38 which are adapted to be` supported in the knuckles 23-23 of the base-plate I9 and serve to pivotally mount the said leaf-filing arm-unit 32 for swinging movement relative to the baseplate I9 for the purpose as will hereinafterapipear, The said filing-arm unit 32 is also provided at its respective opposite ends with laterally-offset journal-portions 39 and 40 pivotally mounted in the knuckles 23a-23a before referred to and provided therefor at the respective opposite ends of the base-plate I8 as is particu-Y larly well shown in Fig. 6. The offset journalportions 38-38 and 39 and 49. are offset. toenable the filing-arm unit 32 to be pivotally mounted as just described without interference bythe adjacent knuckles 22 pivotally mounting the leaf-retaining unit 24, all as is particularly-,well

Y 28 and 29 have their outer free ends respectively in abutting engagement with the filing-arms l33, 34i .35,.36 and 31 when the said leaf-retaining loops and. filing-arms are respectively in their normal positions as shown particularly well in Fig. 4'. With. the parts in this position the respective leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms form a completely closed leaf-retaining member. The retaining member, asjust described, hasi a common center for swinging; movement. inas-.

much as the reSpectiVefIing-armsand theleaf'- retaining loops are mounted for pivotal move.;- ment upon; a' common centeri.formed.1by the knuckles 22,23 andi23abefore*described;

For the purpose of vreleasably holdingthezleafretainingr loops to V29 inclusive inA their.y normal positions as shown:in Fig; 4the. said retainf ing-loops are provided in' their'outer faces.'adja cent their respective outer free ends 4'4iwithtarcuate notches 'The nctchesf45rare;adapted,1when the said leaf-retaining kloops lare' in: theirinormal position as shown; in .Iig'I 4', to` receive; latching- 'lugs 4B struckA inwardly and'` forming part oiga.

latching-slide 4'1' mountediforl longitudinal reciprocating movement against: the inner: facef'of the ange'ZI of the base-plateV I9.

Thelatching-slide 4-1 is; held" in place. againsty the inner face of the angefZ I forrmovement into andlout of engagement 'withthe notchesa45 of the said leaf-retaining lodps.;by-,aplurality of guide.-

flngers. 48 which latter. are bent inwardly and. downwardly from' theA upper.. edge of" the flange... 2I of the base-plate I9.

the curved portionr I8'iofjthez baseeplateywz are complemental guide.-iingers` 49 f which also serve" to retain and guide.; the) l'atohingsslideI 4'1;

The said.guide-ngers 48and 492 areY `appro-'- positioned, space iS'- left. between; the guidefingers 46 and 49Y for; the passage. of l the# free; outerv endsf. 44: of` the Asaid leaf-retaining; loopsf into position for." engagement: by i the` vlatchinglugs- 46 of.: the .latching-slidef4'1.

alsopermit; the free passageoff the outeren'ds 4420i the leaf-retaining loops-..25V to Zllinclusive:

inclusive when the: said loops and ,filing-arms.

are. swungY about their respective journal portions inzamanneras` willzhereinafter appear.

At` the end.' thereof; adjacent: the :lingen-piece-r 42? of the leaf-'filing yarm-,unit 32'- the latchingslide 41 is provided with an operating, finger-v piece which is. bentl inwardly` and4 upwardly and, by .means of which the' said latching-slidev may be longitudinally moved into ors lout. of latchingposition. For: the purpose-of releasably holding:thelatohing-slide 4-1 invitslatchingr posi.-

tion against accidental or unintentional dis- Folded upwardly from The spaces; between the respective guide-fingersv 481 and'49i placement, the said latching-slide is provided adjacent its operating finger-piece 50 with a retaining-aperture adapted to have entered thereintoV a retaining-finger 52 struck inwardly from the upper wall of a `cover-plate 53, through the end wall of which the said iinger-piece 50.

plate 53 is provided mainly in its upper wall with transversely-extending clearance-slots 55 through which the leaf-retaining loops to 29 inclusive and the ling-arms 33 to 31 inclusive are adapted to be bodily moved about their respective journals.

For the purposes of description let it be as- Sumed that the covers of the binder are in their open position and the leaf-retaining loop-unit 24 and leaf-filing arm-unit 32 are respectively in their normal positions as shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, and the latching-slide 41 is in its latching position. With the parts in this position the leaves of the binder, indicated by broken lines in the gures referred to, are supported by the cover-plate 53 and may be leafed or passed over the leaf-retaining loops 25 to 29 inclusive in the customary mannergthe binder being used in the usual manner of loose-leaf binders.

It will be noted that with the parts in the positions shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, that the respective abutting ends of the leaf-retaining loops and the leaf-filing arms are located beneath the cover-plate 53 and hence beneath the lower surface of the leaves, in which position the said abutting ends are beneath and away from the leaves of the binder when the said binder is'in its open position as shown in Fig. 4. With the abutting ends of the leaf-retaining loops and filing-arms positioned as just described the said abutting ends do not interfere with the leang of the leaves of the binder as thev exposed part of the leaf-retaining loops present an unbroken surface for the free passage of the leaves thereover. It will also be noted that the centers of the major radii of the leaf-retaining loops are located at a point also beneath the cover-plate 53 which enables the full capacity of the binder to be utilized without distortion or undue deflection of the leaves. It will be further noted that the usable height of the leaf-retaining loops exceeds one-half the usable width between the loop side-portions to further prevent distortion or undue deection of the leaves, as shown especially well in Fig. 4. As constructed and arranged the leaf-retaining loops also permit the leaves of the binder to be presented in a relatively-fiat position when the binder is opened as illustrated in Fig. 4, avoiding excessive bending and deection of the inner edges of the leaves to thereby make readily visible the inner edges of the said leaves.

When, however, it is desired to insert additional leaves or to remove the same therefrom. the finger-piece 59 of the latching-slide 41 is depressed to move the retaining-aperture 5I thereof out of engagement with the retaining-finger 52 ofthe cover-plate 53, after which the said latching-slide 41 may be ylongitudinally bodily moved outwardly into its unlatching position to shift the latching-lugs 46 thereof out of engagement with the notches formedv in the outer free ends 44 of the respective leaf-retaining loops 25 to 29 inclusive.

With the latching-lugs 46 disengaged from the notches 45 as just described, the leaf-retaining loop-unit 24 and the leaf-ling arm-unit 32 are free to be swung about their respective journals from the position shown in Fig. 4 into a temporary filing position aS shown in Fig. 5. To swing the leaf-retaining unit 24 as just described, the finger-piece 42 of the leaf-filing armunit 32 is ,swung upwardly to correspondingly swing the said leaf-filing arm-unit about .its journals, which movement will result, due to the abutting engagement of the outer free ends 44 of the respective leaf-retaining loops 25 to 29 inclusive and the outer free ends of the leaffiling arms 33 to 31 inclusive in correspondingly swinging the leaf-retaining unit 24 bodily about its journals. In other words, the swinging of the nger-piece 42 upwardly will concurrentlyA rock the leaf-ling arm-unit32 and the leafretaining unit 24 about their respective journals Y upwardly through the clearance-slots in the cover-plate 53 into the position shown in Fig. 5, in which gure the leaf-filing arm-unit 32 is shown in the position just described by broken lines. It will be readily apparent that the bowed character of the leaf-filing arms 33 to 31 inelusive will readily permit the said `leaf-filing arms to be threaded or passed upwardly through the perforations of the leaves or sheets of the binder when the said leaf-filing arm-unit 32 is swung upwardly, as just described.

With the parts in the position just above described, a slight return movement of the ngerpiece 42 will retire the leaf-filing arm-unit 32 into its filing position as shown by full lines in Fig. 5. The leaf-ling arm-unit 32 is held in its filing position by the frictional engagement of tongues 56 provided in the knucklesV 23 before described and which bear upon the adjacent offset journal-portions 38--38 of the leafiling arm-unit 32.

With the filing-arm unit 32 in the position it occupies in Fig. 5 by full lines, the leaffiling arms 33, 34, 35, 36 and 31 are in'a `substantially-perpendicular position relative to the cover-plate 53 with the respective outer free ends readily accessible and visible for the ling vor threading thereon or the removal of leaves therefrom. As thus constructed and arranged, a slight swinging movement of the nger-piece 42 of the ling-arm unit 32 will move the said unit into its leaf-ling position or into its normal closed position (as indicated by broken lines inl Fig. 5) in engagement with the leaf-retaining unit 24, in which position the leaves of the binder. may be moved onto the leaf-retaining loop-unit for retention thereby.

Upon the completion of the filing operation, the action of closing the binder will automatically move the leaf-retaining unit and the leafling arm-unit from their temporary ling positions into their normal positions, with the leaffiling arm-unit 32 located beneath the coverplate 53, as shown in Fig. 4. With the parts in this position, inward pressure upon the fingerpiece 5U of the latching-slide 41 will move the said slide longitudinally to bring its latchinglugs 46 again into engagement with the notches 45 of the respective leaf-retaining loops to thereby latch the said leaf-retaining loop-unit 24 in its normal or closed position. The' action of ing-'aperture 51 .thereof into position ltopermit the retaining-linger 52 of the cover-.plate53 tobe .entered into the .said aperture .51 to :thereby prevent the said action-.slide 4l' from being ac-i cidentally .displaced or moved outwardly.

It may here be noted. that the rleaf-'retaining loops 25 to '29 inclusivevary `lin'length and that.

the respective leaf-liling arms are of a length to abut .against the free ends of .the Said lea-fretaining :loops to create a staggering effect'cf the .abutting ends .of the said leaf-ling .arms and leaf-retaining loops. With the abutting ends of the leaf-retaining loops and leaf-idling arms staggered as just Vdescribed,iand as .shownparticularly well in Fig. 2, Vit vwill be readily .apparent that, vwhen .the said leaf-.retaining loops and leaf-filing arms are .inthe temporarylmg positions .shown in Figs. 2 and .5 ofthe drawings, the leaves .or sheets of the vbinder maybe .readily passed over vthe said :abutting ends without interference thereby. Itwill be noted that as'the leaf .passes by the abutting ends ofthe leafretaining loops of a given length, the said .leaf will be .guided .by the unbroken surface ofthe adjacent loops to be thus guided by the :abutting ends Without interference thereby.

By the construction and arrangement of parts as herein shown land rdescribed, a loose-leaf binder is provided which may be utilized to its full capacity without undue strain upon the leaves. contained therein and that the `filing or removal thereof is readily accomplished with ease and readiness .as .the substantially-vertical filing-arms are readily` available and visible to the user of the binder.

The invention may be carried out. in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention, and the present embodiments are, therefore, to be .considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within `the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims :are intended to be embraced therein.

I claim: i

1. A loose-leaf binder including in rcombination: a frame; Va leaf-holding loop pivoted tothe said frame and having a free end for .exten-sion through perforations in leaves'or sheets oi paper; a leaf-filing arm also pivoted :to theisaid frame and having a free end for extensionl Vthrough perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding loop and said leaf-'idling arm having independent movement to 'permit 'Sthe normal abutment of said free ends or the separation thereof; yand leaf-supportingY means having-an opening for the passage therethrough vv-of both the said leaf-holding loop andethevsaid leaffiling arm; the said leaf-filing armrfbeing .constructed and arranged for projection above land also '.for Vnormal substantially full retirement below 'the said leaf-.supporting means, and the said leaf-holding loop being constructed and arranged 'for the projection of lits free end 4below the said leaf-supporting means when the said leaf-'ling arm is retired lbelow the said leafsupporting means.

2. A loose-leaf binder including in `combination: a frame; a leaf-holding loop pivoted to the said frame :and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves lor sheets of paper; .a leaf-filing arm also ,pivoted to the said frame and having a free end for :extension sliding 4the Jlatching-.slide illlllinwardly. into .its

through perforations .in leaves or .sheets lof pa-z latching .position "will have `brought the #retainper; Isaid leaf-holding .loop and vsaid leaf-Illing armhaving independent .movement .toi-permit the opening for .the passage .therethrough of both the said leaf-holding loop and the said leaf-l ling arm; .the Said leaf-filing armfbeing. constructed and arranged'for projection above .and

also for norma] substantially full Iretirement below the said leaf-supporting means, and the said leaf-holding 'loop being' constructed and =ar ranged for the projection of .its free end'be'low the said leaf-supporting means when the` said leaf-filing arm is retired below the said leaf-'supporting means; and loperating means organized with .the said .leaf-filing arm for projecting thev said leaf-filing arm from its normallysubstantially vfull retired position Ato a position above' the said leaf-supporting means.

3. A loose-leaf binder including in combination: a frame; a .leaf-holding looppivoted tothe said frame :and 4having a free end for extension through periorations in leaves or sheets .of paper;v a leaf-ling arm also Apivoted to 'the said .frame and having a free end for extension .throughperforations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding loop and said leaf-filing arm having, independent movement to Apermit the normal abutment -of said free ends .or the separation thereof; leaf-.supporting means having an open-v ing for vthe passage. therethrough of both the said leaf-holding loop and the said leaf-Illing arm; the saidv leaf-filing arm being constructed, and arranged for projection above and lalso .for normal substantially-full retirement below fthe' said leaf-supporting means, and the said leaf. holding loop being. constructed'and arranged for the projection of its free end below the said .leaf` supporting means when the said vleaf-filingfarmi the latter is projected below the said 'leaf-'supe porting means.

4. A loose-leaf binder including in` com-bination: .a frame a leaf-holding loop pivoted to the said frame Yand having a. free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; a leaf-tiling sarm also pivoted to thesaid'frame and 'having a free end for extension through' perfcrations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding .loop and said .leaf-filing arm having independent movement to permit the `normal abutment of said free ends Aor the vseparation thereof; and leaf-.supporting means having -an opening 'for the vpassage therethrough of 'both the said 4leaf-holding loop and the said leaf-filing arm; .the said leaf-.Illing arm being constructed and .arranged for normal substantially full retirement below and falso for projection above and substantially perpendicular to the said leaf-supporting means, and .the ysaid leaf-.holding loop being constructed and arranged vfor the projecaetgsaa ieafiioidirigioopands-aid' maf-nung ann having independent movement "to permit Vthe normal said: leaf-supporting means, and the said leafholding loopbeing constructed and arranged with its free vend normally in abutting engagement with the free end of the said leaf-ling arm and for the projection-of its free end below the said leaf-supporting means when the said leaf-ling arm is retired below the said leaf-supporting means.

6. A loose-leaf binder including in combination: a frame; a leaf-holding loop pivoted to the said frame and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; a leaf-filing arm also pivoted to the said frame and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding loop and said leaf-filing arm having independent movement to permit the normal abutment of said free ends or the separation thereof; leaf-supporting means having an opening for the passage therethrough of both the said leaf-holding loop and the said leaf-filing arm; the said leaf-filing arm being constructed and arranged for projection above and also for normal substantially full retirement below the said leaf-supporting means, and the said leafholding loop being constructed and arranged with its free end normally in abutting engagement with the free end of the said leaf-filing arm and for the projection of its free end below the said leaf-supporting means when the said leaf-filing arm is retired below the said leaf-supporting means; and operating means organized with the said leaf-filing arm for projecting the latter above the said leaf-supporting means and for concurrently moving the said leaf-holding loop into a retired position.

7. A loose-leaf binder including in combination: a frame; leaf-supporting means having openings therein; leaf-holding loops pivoted to the said frame and having free ends for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper and movable from a normal position into a retired filing position; leaf-ling arms also pivoted to the said frame and having free ends for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper, said leaf-holding loops and said leaf-filing arms having independent movement to permit the normal abutment of said free ends or the separation thereof, and said leaf-filing arms being also movable from a normal retired position below the said leaf-supporting means into a leaf-filing position above the said leafsupporting means, the said leaf-filing arms passing through the passages in the said leaf-supporting means; manually operable means organized with the said leaf-iiling arms for moving the same into their leaf-filing position; and latching means for releasably latching the leafholding loops in their normal position.

8. A loose-leaf binder including in combination: a frame; a leaf-holding loop pivoted to the said frame for movement from a normal position into a retired position and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; a leaf-filing arm also pivoted to the said frame and having a length substan- .moved 'into' its retired position,

tiallyeduallto orj greater than/the capacity of the binder'iand also having afree 'end' for eX- tensionthrough` perforations in leaves or sheets 'of paper; said leaf-holding loop and said leaf-iiiing arm having independent movement to' permit vthe normal vabutment 'of said free'ends or the separation therelofgyan'd leaf-supporting means having an opening for the passage therethrough of both the said leaf-holding lloop and. thesaid lleaf-filing arm; thesaidIea-iling arm being constructed andarranged forlnormal substantiallyA full retirementbelow the said'fleaf-sup- 'portingmeans and projection above andsubstantially perpendicular tothesaid leaf-supporting means-when the leafholding loop has been 9. A loose-leaf binder including in' combination: a frame; a leaf-supporting means having openings therein; a leaf-holding loop, the center of the major radius of which is located in a plane below the upper surface of the said leafsupporting means and having a free end for eX- tension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; and a leaf-ling arm also pivoted to the said frame and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding loop and said leaf-liling arm having independent movement to permit the normal abutment of said free ends or the separation thereof; the said leaf-filing arm being constructed and arranged for normal substantially full retirement below and projection above and substantially perpendicular to the said leaf-supporting means, and the said leaf-holding loop being constructed and arranged for the projection of its free end below the said leaf-supporting means when the said leaf-ling arm is retired below the said leaf-supporting means, both the said leaf-holding loop and leaf-filing arm being movable through the openings of the leaf-supporting means.

10. A loose-leaf binder including in combination: a frame; a leaf-holding loop-unit pivoted to the said frame and having a plurality of leafholding loops having free ends for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; a leaf-filing arm-unit pivoted to the said frame and having a plurality of leaf-filing arms having free ends for extension through periorations in leaves or sheets of paper; said leaf-holding loopunit and said leaf-iling arm-unit having independent movement to permit the normal abutment of said free ends or the separation thereof and leaf-supporting means having openings for the passage therethrough of both the leaf-holding loops of the said leaf-holding loop-unit and l the leaf-filing arms of the said leaf-filing armunit, the leaf-filing arms of the said leaf-filing unit being of different lengths, and the leafholding loops of the leaf-holding unit also being of different lengths, and constructed and arranged for normal engagement with the free ends of their respective leaf-filing arms.

11. A loose-leaf binder including in combination; a frame; a leaf-holding loop pivoted to the said frame and having a freeend for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper; a leaf-ling arm also pivoted to thev said frame and having a free end for extension through perforations in leaves or sheets of paper, the said leaf-filing arm being constructed andarranged num-ementv relative. .to the. saidleai-holdingvloop, the said leaf-holding loonbeing constructed and arranged with. its( freefendncrmally in abutting @zonage tionsfinleaves. cm sheets: of paper said leaf-:holdinsrloopv andsaid leaf-lng-` arm having, inde.- pendent.l movement; tohpermit the normal abutment-of. said free. ends or the., separation thereof.; and leaf-supporting means having an opening for the vpassage therethrough of bothV the said leaf-holding loop and the: said. leaf-filing arm; the said leaf-lingarm being constructed and arranged for projection above and also for normai. substantially-full retirement below the said leaf-supporting means, and the said' leaf-holding loop` being constructed and arranged for thev projection ofxvitsfree: end below thev said: leaf-supporting means when the, said leaf-filing armfis retired below the said.1eaf.supporting means.

JOHN E. SPALDING. 

